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Celebrate World Pilates Day on May 6

Connecticut’s new luxury fitness studio – Fitness on the Water at Water’s Edge, 1587 Boston Post Road in Westbrook – celebrates a grand opening with a variety of free classes Saturday, May 6 from 7am – 12 noon.

Pilates is a body conditioning system of exercises designed to improve physical strength, flexibility, posture, mental awareness and overall wellness. It is recognized as an effective cross training program for professional athletes, for physical rehabilitation for injury recovery, and its popularity is growing among an aging population focused on low-impact overall fitness. Pilates tones, lengthens and strengthens muscles throughout the body, with particular emphasis on the core or “powerhouse.”

Health benefits of Pilates

Increases strength, balance, flexibility, range of motion

Improves posture and abdominal strength

Helps prevent lower back pain through stronger core muscles

Increases joint stability

Enhances lung capacity and circulation

Improves body awareness and coordination

Promotes deep restful sleep

Who is Joseph Pilates?

A former German gymnast and boxer living in England, Joe Pilates was placed in an internment camp at the outbreak of WWI. Making the best of a bad situation, he taught fellow camp members the principles of yoga and ancient Greek and Roman exercise and sport. He called his method “Contrology” with a focus on control. When transferred to another camp, he became a nurse to internees suffering from disease and injury. This is where he developed a method of physical rehabilitation by using the springs from the beds to create resistance and movement for bedridden patients. Today, the spring tension of the Pilates reformer and tower apparatus provides muscle resistance and support, while the principles of muscle control are applied to Pilates mat classes. Joseph Pilates’ teachings are embraced by professional dancers and athletes for muscle strength, flexibility and injury prevention. Choosing a qualified Pilates instructor is extremely important to maximize the benefits of this physical program while remaining true to the principles developed by Joseph Pilates in the early 1900s. Worldwide Pilates Day is an annual celebration held the first Saturday in May.